NFL Encourages Men to Know Their Stats About Prostate Cancer

Back in 2008, on the morning of his Pro Football Hall of Fame dedication, Mike Haynes participated in a free prostate cancer test, offered to retired players by the NFL Player Care Foundation through the American Urological Association (AUA). That led to the discovery that he had prostate cancer.

Today, Mr. Haynes is the official spokesperson for the AUA and speaks out for men across the country about prostate cancer awareness. This week during the lead-up to the XLIV Super Bowl, Hall of Fame members Tony Dorsett, Marcus Allen, and Deacon Jones will join Haynes in Miami to urge men to “Know Your Stats about Prostate Cancer.”

In addition to screenings held in Fort Lauderdale for players, retired players and members of the media, a public service announcement will debut in-stadium at the Super Bowl featuring several football legends.

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death for American men. One in every six men in the United States will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime and 28,000 die each year. African-American men are at a higher risk for developing the disease and more than twice as likely to die.

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Prostate cancer is most treatable when caught early. The American Urological Association has recently issued new guidelines recommending that men 40 and older talk with their physician about receiving a physical screening exam and blood test to establish a baseline PSA (prostate-specific antigen).

In addition to regular screenings, men can also make positive lifestyle changes to increase the odds of preventing prostate cancer.

Diet: Maintaining or achieving an ideal body weight througha healthy, balanced diet can reduce the risk of developing many types of cancer, especially those that involve hormone activity, such as prostate cancer. A diet low in fat and high in fruits and vegetables is recommended. Tomatoes, in particular, contain a compound known as lycopene which has been shown in some studies to be beneficial for the prostate.

Exercise: A recent study from the journal Cancer Causes and Control suggests that an active lifestyle can help protect a man from prostate cancer because of lower levels of androgen hormones. Develop a plan for regular daily activity with a goal of moderate intensity aerobic exercise for at least 30 minutes a day.

Avoid alcohol: In general, this is no more than 2 drinks per day for men. Studies have shown that regular heavy drinking increases the risk of aggressive prostate cancer.

Problems with the prostate gland is fairly common for men over 50, according to webmed. But, developing prostate issues is something that men want to avoid, as the gland plays an important role in male fertility as well as the proper functioning of the urinary tract. An enlarged prostate gland, for example, can block the flow of urine from the bladder causing an urinary tract infection. Mayoclinic suggests that a diet packed with nutrients have a positive impact in prostate health. So, the 5 vegan recipes below will provide all the needed nutrients for optimal prostate gland health.

Where once Epstein Barr Virus and Human Papilloma Virus were believed to affect mostly women, science has found that men can be affected too. Until now, prostate cancer causes have been blamed on genetics. However, older research suggest that the Herpes Viruses have always been suspect as a cause of cancers. More now than ever, Epstein Barr Virus and Human Papilloma Virus are strongly linked to prostate cancer affecting fathers, husbands, brothers, son and fathers.This is relevant given the new focus on prostate cancer, the elusive herpes virus Epstein Barr, and its multitude of transformative symptoms affecting the man in your life.

If you experience symptoms such as frequent urination and poor flow of urine a yearly rectal examination is recommended and may reveal if you have a prostate cancer or an enlarged prostate, suggests Doctor Ademola Orolu, a Family Physician.

The new paradigm for the treatment of prostate cancer from Urology includes drug therapy, surgery and radiation. Researchers say this paradigm holds a good promise for treating previously incurable cancer.

As of April 2017, the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) reversed its 2012 recommendation to change prostate cancer screening from a D grade (meaning to discourage use of testing) to a C grade or screening based on history and circumstances, in order to improve the screening of men ages 55-69. The task force still does not recommend screening for men age 70 and up.